How much is a solicitor's average salary?

How important is base salary, versus total compensation, for a software engineering job?

• Say that you have to compare two offers: offer A has 100k base salary, but with bonus and stocks the total compensation is worth around 200k a year; offer B has 120k base salary, but with bonus and stocks the total compensation is worth around 190k a year. Which one is better? How important is the base salary vs the total package? All else being equal, having more base salary seems better, since it carries less risk, and bonuses are typically calculated in proportion to base salary. But if the total is not equal, how do you decide? How much would starting at a lower base salary impact your compensation growth over time? Is it significant in other ways I haven't thought of? Note that the situation is for a large, well-established company, not a startup. The stock's value will probably grow over time, but there is no IPO to look forward to for big returns.

• Answer:

  It depends on the type of company that you're going to, as well as how highly you perceive you only personal capabilities and ability to contribute in a meaningful way. Personally, my advice to folks is that salary should be one of the least important parts of your negotiating strategy, particularly if you have enough $$$ to pay your basic bills. It's very easy to be the overpaid person in role who quickly finds him/herself out of a job.  However, if your salary is lower than everyone else you're working alongside, odds are often higher you'll receive outsize merit increases over time, particularly if you're a strong performer.  In short, salary is "sticky", and across the spectrum, you never want yourself to be the overpaid average performer.  Bonus and Equity are more variable, to your point, but can truly have the most upside if you're a star performer.  If you're an underpaid star performer (at least judged by base), odds are very high that will be rectified within 2-3 years (Here again, it depends on level, years of experience, promotions, etc.)